Effective Techniques To Help Keep Your Adult Teeth Healthy | You start to get your adult teeth around the age of 6 and by the age of 12, most people have all of their permanent teeth. The only exception is the wisdom teeth which don’t arrive until after you are 18. Those teeth then have to last you for decades, until you are old.
The good news is that thanks to advances in dental care, more people are managing to keep their teeth into old age. To help your teeth stay healthy and for you to smile confidently, you need to look after them. This is easier than you may think.
Regular Dental Visits
You may do the hard work every day but choosing a reputable dentist, such as this Alexandria dentist, and visiting them regularly, is essential if you want to keep your teeth healthy.
A dentist will be able to inspect your mouth properly and will identify any issues before you can see or feel them. This also means they can treat the issues and you’ll find it is much easier to deal with dental conditions when they are picked up early.
Your dentist will tell you how often you should visit but the minimum should be once a year.
Daily Care
To keep your teeth healthy you need to adopt healthy habits. This means brushing your teeth every morning and evening. It is important not to use too much pressure when brushing as this can damage the gums.
Hold your toothbrush between your thumb and forefinger and brush for two minutes every time.
You can then use floss to remove plaque from between your teeth and a mouth wash without alcohol in it, will help.
It is also important to ensure there is fluoride in your diet. This strengthens the enamel on your teeth, helping to prevent cavities.
Consider Your Diet
Another way to help your teeth stay healthy is to look at what you eat. Sugar combines with bacteria that are naturally present in your mouth. This causes a reaction that produces acid. The acid then attacks the enamel on your teeth, eventually causing cavities and other dental issues.
You won’t be able to eliminate sugar completely from your diet. After all, it’s not just in almost every food that you eat, it is also necessary for energy.
But, you can review your diet and reduce the amount of sugar you consume. In addition, it’s a good idea to avoid snacking between meals. This will reduce the amount of sugar and the opportunity for acid to be created.
Check Medications
Saliva is a natural defence against tooth decay as it dilutes the acids in your mouth. However, some medications cause dry mouth, effectively removing the saliva from your mouth. If this is the case then you can check with your doctor regarding using a different medication. If this isn’t an option then chew sugar-free gum, drink plenty of water, and reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption.
In all cases, regular visits to your dentist will help to guide you regarding the best care options for your teeth, and help you to keep them healthy.